Glendale referees parking fight

Brittany Levine

Auto dealers and South Glendale residents have been fighting over parking for years, but this week the City Council took the first step toward approving a compromise between the two that would make it easier for residents to apply for special permitted-parking areas.

Vehicles already clog the on-street parking near the Brand Boulevard of Cars as many multi-unit buildings in the area have insufficient parking. On top of that, some dealership employees park on residential streets, further reducing parking availability.

Council members unanimously supported a plan to make it easier for residents in an area bounded by Central Avenue to the west, Colorado Street to the north, Glendale Avenue to the east and San Fernando Road to the south to apply for permitted parking.

The ordinance was introduced on Tuesday, with a final vote scheduled for next week.

If 66% of residents on a street within the district sign a petition calling for permitted parking, the city will automatically grant the request without a public meeting, thereby streamlining the process.

But the permitted-parking rules won't be applicable on Sundays, giving a reprieve to local churches whose members fill the streets with vehicles during services.

While car dealership representatives said they're not happy about the plan, they'll live with it for now.

"We all don't like it, but we're all willing to give it a go because it's the best compromise that we could do," said Jeanne Brewer, general manager of Acura of Glendale.

Council members said if the compromise doesn't work, they can always amend the new rules.

"It is a compromise," said Mayor Dave Weaver. "It can and probably will be amended in the future when all the dust settles."

The parking permits would cost $25 each, and residents would be limited to three permits per household.

For guests, residents could request one-time parking permits from City Hall. Annually, the first 30 would be free, but would cost $2 each after that, according to a city report.